~MAX'S POV~
"They have been able to beat us to most major deals because they think outside the box!" Charles continued, "What is going on in this company? I thought we hired the best and most qualified engineers? I hope you all are aware this is over a hundred-billion-dollar project washed down the drain?"
"Ryder, Josh? Answer me!" Charles thundered
The moment they noticed me walk in, silence encroached the room. There were bold tablets with the name of every board member inscribed on them. These tablets were set on the long center table right in front of every seat in the room except the ones meant for their assistants.
Charles and Ryder sat on each end of the table. Every other seat was reserved for the directors and their assistants. Charles was the Executive chairman while Ryder was the CEO.
I located my place and settled in with Steve sitting by my side. "I thought this meeting was by nine-thirty, this is still eight-forty-five."
"Something important came up and needed urgent attention, weren't you informed?" My father, Charles, notified.
I reluctantly replied, "Yes, I was informed." I noticed my stepbrother, Ryder, wasn't happy to see me from the look on his expression the moment I settled in. "I'm so sorry, Dickson Construction firm lost its fourth consecutive major contract."
Ryder leaned in with his brows furrowed. "Max, you know, you don't need to state it like that." Ryder directed his gaze at Charles, "Dad, this is just a minor setback, be assured, Director Josh and I are going to make sure we sort this out."
I smiled silently inside of me and said, "Minor setback, indeed."
Since my father, Charles, was the Executive Chairman and my stepbrother, Ryder, was the CEO. My father has a say in everything, so everyone at large still reports to him.
Now, let me formally introduce everyone in the conference room. I am Max Dickson, the director of Dickson Medical Center. Next to me, on my left-hand side, was my father, Charles Dickson, the Executive Chairman of Dickson Enterprises; to my right-hand side was Steve, my assistant.
Seated across from me was Director Josh Benson, who has been in charge of the construction firm for the past four years. Josh is a very nice and trusted fellow from our experience, working together with him in the past. Director Josh Benson was seated very close to Director Madison Becker. Madison was entrusted with leading the fashion line.
Next to Director Becker was Director Dalton Luthor. Dalton was set to oversee the affairs of Dickson Hotel and Suites, the biggest hotel in Washington. Following him was my stepbrother, Ryder Dickson, the CEO of Dickson Enterprises. The very last but not least, my stepmother, Martha Dickson, is the executive managing the financial technology platform, Dion's Pay.
I know Martha, my stepmother, thinks she's entitled to all that she has, but, to be honest, she was able to get all these because she's my father's wife. She had a fashion company that was already crashing when she met my father. Charles helped build the company back on its feet.
"Ryder, you mentioned, you and director Josh are going to sort this out. Right?" Charles inquired, "Do you mind sharing with me the plans you have?"
"I'm worried, because very soon the construction firm will finish its current project, and yet, we do not have a new project," Charles added. He took a deep breath and continued, "We have not been doing well for the past months. This is bad for us."
I noticed the tension between Ryder and Director Josh when they stared at each other, before Ryder divulged, "We came up with an idea, and we thought about it thoroughly, then decided to give it a try."
Ryder paused. He glanced at his mother, Martha, and turned to look at Charles. Then he continued, "We want to offer a collaboration with the Mason construction firm. With our level of influence and experience, they'll be thrilled to work with us."
Steve made a funny sound from his mouth like he was trying to clear his throat, when every eye in the room settled on him, "I'm sorry, I felt something in my throat."
I smiled silently but kept a straight face, obviously I won't accept such an offer from my stepbrother. You know that feeling when you have the cure to your enemy's weakness but can't give it to him, because you know that giving it to him will only make him stronger and ready to attack you. Besides, who on earth would want to share over a hundred-billion-dollar project in such situations?
"How do you insist we do that?" Director Dalton questioned, "No one has ever seen or come in contact with the CEO of the Mason construction firm; he is a hard man to reach. Practically, every partnership request goes through his stand-in CEO, Engineer Bob."
"Then we go through him," Director Josh implied.
Charles grimaced and shook his head. He looked at me and asked, "What is your opinion, Max?"
Oh, wait– did he just seek my opinion? I guess I must be dreaming. My father never seeks my opinion on anything, not since he married his second wife. To be honest, I'm surprised at this moment.
I stared at my father with a smirk on my face and responded, "Well, to my understanding, the CEO of the Mason construction firm is a very competent fellow. So, our CEO should do better than coming up with flimsy ideas."
Ryder clenched his fist with narrowed brows, "What is that supposed to mean?" He questioned in an angry tone. "You-you must think yourself better than me."
"Well I don't recall saying so, I only said that the CEO of the Mason construction firm is better than you," I asserted with my brows widened.
"What?! Who are you to talk down to my son like that?! Have you forgotten he is the CEO?" Martha tightened her brows and yelled out. She turned to my father, "Charles, you heard him disrespect our CEO! He should be fired!"